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WILSON'S 



PATENT 




STEAM RENDERING TANKS. 



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BOSTON: 

CAXTON PRESS, ATKINS & MITCHELL, 122 WASHINGTON STREET. 

185G. 



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Illlffi IKM lEMIIfflS tmiM, 



WILSON'S 



PATENT 



STEAM RENDERING TANKS, 



DESCRIPTION 



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DESCEIPTIVE PLATES 



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BOSTON: 

CAXTON PRESS, ATKINS & MITCHELL, 122 WASHINGTON STREET. 

1856. 



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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1^56, by William H. Fullek, in the Clerk's Office of 
the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. 






WILSON'S 

PATENT STEAM EENDEEING TANKS. 



It lias been considered desirable, for the purpose of bringing "Wilson's 
Patent Steam Rendering Tanks" into use, in those sections of the country 
where the truth respecting the machinery is not accurately known, to collect 
such evidence of its value as was readily available, and to present it in a 
compact form for reference. 

It is claimed that its superiority consists : — 

First. — In the quality of the Beef or MuMoii TuUoic, smdLard, manufactured 
in these Tanks, which is fally equal to the best rendered in any other manner 
for al/ purposes of commerce, and superior to a?ii/ in its color, purity and 
ability, to maintain its sweetness in hot latitudes. 

Sctonrl. — That the same quantity of Tallow or Lard can be rendered by them 
at one-half o/^/ze expense for fuel and labor than by any other method. 

Third. — That the excess of yield is of itself a large profit. 

FoiirtJi.—Thsit this machinery is ?nore eco)iomicaJ, inasmuch as it is not 
affected by time, and is indestructible hy fire. 

Fijith. — That it is the only way by which the entire sheep carcasses, the 
manufacturing of which has been such a large source of profit at Cincinnati 
and elsewhere, can be properly rendered. 

The three first points are all referred to in the affidavits and letters attach- 
ed. That from forty to fifty thousand sheep have been rendered entire, re- 
serving only in some cases the hams, annually in Cincinnati, for their Tallow, 
is a fact, familiar to all in the trade. And the test as to their indestructi- 
bility by fire, has been applied in four instances. Once when the Lard House 
of W. H. Fuller was destroyed by fire in Cincinnati, the four Tanks contain- 
ed in it were exposed to intense heat ; second, at the burning of E. AYilson's 
Tank and Packing House, where six Tanks were surrounded with inflammable 
material ; third, at the entire destruction of Millward & Oldershaw's establish- 
ment, in Kentucky, by fire ; and lastly, at the burning of the Lard House at 
Terre Haute, Indiana, which Tanks are now in use by Henry D. AVilliams 
& Co., at Terre Haute. Notwithstanding most of these fires occurred while 
the Tanks were not in use, and consequently exposed to the flames inside and 



outside, they are all now in operation, and as competent to sustain the neces- 
sary pressure as when they were first constructed. 

The experience of those having the disposal of rights would induce them 
to suggest that, where practicable, at each large Beef and Pork packing point, 
where the machinery now is, or purposes to be used, an establishment should 
be formed on the ** joint stock plan," the advantages of which have been so 
satisfactorily and clearly demonstrated by " the Butcher's Association" of New 
York City, and the various associations, for killing and rendering, formed at 
different periods by the " Butchers and Tank Eenderers" in Cincinnati. 

By this plan, each person interested in the business of slaughtering Beef 
and Pork would have an opportunity of becoming a stockholder and contri- 
butor to the business of the company, he having the privilege, of course, of 
having all his rendering material manufactured by the Tanks of the company 
at a stipulated and equitable price, and for his share or shares, receiving its 
proportion of the profits of the company. This method, besides involving 
much less original outlay in buildings and machinery, would return a large 
dividend upon the investment, as being owned in common ; it not only has a 
certain business secured, but one Tank could not come into competition with 
its neighbor, thereby, in virtue of its superiority, not only raising the price 
of manufacturing material above paying value to " Steam Tubs," ''Kettles," 
&c., but advancing the price upon itself The last named evil is seriously 
felt at Cincinnati, where there are now about thirty Tanks, with half as many 
owners, who are usually engaged in active competition with each other, only 
relieved by an occasional combination of interests, which means, in fact, a 
temporary "Joint Stock Association." Any persons desirous of procuring 
this machinery can learn all particulars by addressing Ebenezer Wilson, 
Syracuse, New York; W. F. Johnson, Cincinnati, Ohio, or W. H. Puller. 
And they are also respectfully referred to any of the persons now having the 
machinery in use, for evidence of its capacity to give satisfaction in the 
qualities referred to above. 

The Tanks are in use in the following places : — 



St. Louis, Missouri, 
Hannibal, Missouri, 
Weston, Missouri, 
Alton, Illinois, 
<^uincy, Illinois, 
Keokuk, Illinois, 
■Oquaka, Illinois, 
Beardstown, Illinois, 
Pekin, Illinois, 
Springfield, Illinois, 
Monmouth, Illinois, 
Burlington, Iowa, 
IMadison, Indiana, 



Vincennes, Indiana, 
Jerffersonville, Indiana, 
Evansville, Indiana, 
Terre Haute, Indiana, 
Indianapolis, Indiana, 
New Albany, Indiana, 
Aurora, Indiana, 
Cambridge, Indiana, 
Cincinnati, Ohio, 
Cleveland, Ohio, 
Wheeling, Virginia, 
New Orleans, Louisiana. 




Description of Tank, as patented, illustrated by Drauings. One re-present i7iff a Tank uith central 

bolt, and central ^'Discharging Ilole," the other uithout, and the " Charging Man Hole" as 

closed. Vide Patent Papers. 

" My apparatus consists of a boiler, for generating steam, similar to those in common use for that 
purpose. (A A) a close cylindrical vessel, or tank, made of boiler-iron, and \ laced vertically ; (15 B) a feot 
valve and bonnet at the junction with the tank ; (C) a i ipe attached to the said foot valve iind bonnet, 
and perforated with holes, and coiled on the bottom of the tank aforesaid, intide of said tank; (D) 
a ftilse bottom, made of t)oiler-iron, perforated with holes, placed within the tank aforesaid, and elevated, 
with supports, about six inches from the bottom thereof; (E) a discharging hole, the upper end of which 
opens above the false bottom, and its lower end passes through the bottom of the tank aforesaid, usually 
at the centre thereof; (F) a cover to the discharging hole: this cover is ground, so as to fit, water-tight, 
on the opening (E); (G G) a bolt or rod, attached to the cover, and passing through it from the bottom 
of the tank to the top. The lower end of this rod has a screw cut on it, to receive a nut, for the purpose 
of fastening the cover (F) down, in the same way in which the man hole (K) is fastened. The rod (G) 
therefore, serves as a bolt to secure the cover of the discharging hole in its place. The upper part of this 
rod passes through a stuffing box (V) placed on the head of the tank, and any suitable power apjjlied to 
it will serve to raise the cover (F) of the discharging hole; (»l) a man hole through which the tank is 
charged; (I) a steam pipe connected with the boiler, and (J) a smaller pipe attached to the main 
distributing pipe with shut-off cocks to regulate the quantity of steam nee 'ssary for each tank ; 
(K) a plate to cover the man hole aforesaid; (L) a bolt to secure the plate afonsaid, passing 
through (M) an arch piece for securing the man plate aforesaid ; (]\) a safety jiipe and valve ; (O O) a 
lever and weight for tlie safety valve aforesaid ; (P P P P P P) are cocks on the side of the tank, 
placed one above the other. These cocks may be ten inches aj art, the one ma. est the bottom 
being three feet therefrom. These cocks are used to draw tlie rendered or refined lard, tallow or oil 
from the tank. (Q Q) an iron strainer jtlaced over the openings of the cocks afoi-esaid, on the inside of 
the tank; (RR) a series of try cocks upon the side, near the top and on the top of tlie tank, to determine 
the state of the contents of the tank during the process of rendering or refining; (U U) rods for bracing 
the tank, passing from bottom to top and secured by nuts; (Y) stuffing box on top of tank; (S) framed 
timber work for sustaining tanks; (T) vat for receiving the residuum when discharged from the tank; 
(X) a regulating cock to draw oft' a portion of the contents of the tank, should it be found too full during 
the process aforesaid ; this regulating cock is placed at the bottom of the tank ; (Y) a man hole or 
opening for giving admission to the upper side of the false bottom." 



DESCRIPTION OF THE OPERATION OF RENDERING OR REFINING AS PRACTICALLY 

PERFORMED. 

Affix tlie false bottom in its place and close the discharge hole, fill the 
tank through the man hole on the top nearly full, leaving about two and a 
half feet at the top unfilled with the substance from which the Lard, Tallow 
or Oil is to be extracted, or with the Lard, Tallow or Oil to be refined and 
purified, then secure the man plate (K.) over the man hole (H,) then intro- 
duce steam under a high pressure from the steam iDoiler, through the foot 
valve, into the perforated pipe (C) within the tank, set the safety valve at 
the pressure required, keep up the full pressure of steam, say from fifty to a 
hundred pounds to the square inch, for the space of from eight to fifteen hours 
continuously, as may be required from the condition of the substance to be 
Tendered or refined, and during the process of steaming as aforesaid, carefully 
and frequently determine the state of the contents of the tank by opening the 
side try cock (K). If the quantity of condensed steam in the tank is too 
great, it will be indicated by the ejection of Lard, Tallow or Oil from the try 
cock aforesaid, and in such a case, the regulating cock (X) should be immedi- 
ately opened, and the condensed steam be permitted to flow therefrom into the 
receiving vat (T,) until the Lard, Tallow or Oil shall cease to exhibit itself 
from the try cock aforesaid. After the eight or fifteen continuous hours 
aforesaid have expired, discontinue the introduction of steam into the tank, 
and let the steam escape therefrom through the try cocks aforesaid, and the 
safety valve aforesaid, then allow the contents to settle, after which draw the 
Lard, Tallow or Oil through the cocks (P P P, &c.) in the side of the tanks 
into a cooler of the ordinary construction. After the Lard, Tallow or Oil is 
drawn off as above, raise the cover (F) from the discharging hole (E) by the 
rod (G) and discharge the remaining contents of the tank into the vat (T) , 
and if on inspection, oleaginous matter is formed in the vat, return it to the 
tank and put it through the operation again the next time the tank is filled. 



Litter to Jvh/i W. Coleman, E^q., 

Cincinnati, January 21st, 1S36- 
JoHN AY. Coleman, Esq. 

Dear Sir : — I am desirous to collate the opinions of those most experienced in 
the relative advantages of Lard Eendering by Kettles, Tubs, and " Wilson's 
Steam Tank" process. As you have had under your management vast quanti- 
ties of material, and are familiar with the various processes of manufacture, 
you will confer a favor by stating your experience, as to the relative quality 
of the Lard, and the relative economy of the process of manufacturing. 

A'erj respectfully yours, 

WlYlJAM IF. rCLLEll. 



Cincinnati, January 22d, 1836. 
W. H. Fuller, Esq. 

Dear Sir : — In answer to yours of the 21st inst., I have to say, that I have 
had experience in large quantities of material for many years ; for example, 
this season, in the neighborhood of three million of pounds of Lard stock. 
Nearly two-thirds of this amount has been manufactured by " AYilson's Steam 
Tank" process, the balance has been rendered in the ordinary way, with 
Kettles. I have made no difference in the price, finding many persons pre- 
fer the Tank Lard, while others desire the Kettle. Lor my part, I should 
give the decided preference to Tank rendering, as the quality is fully equal, 
while the economy of manufacturing and excess of yield is a very large con- 
sideration. Yours, &c., 

J. W. COLEMAN. 



Letter from TJtomas J. Martin, Esq., of Lo2nsviUc,Jirm of Martin, Owen 
&f Co., Neiv Orleans, and Cobb, Martiii tj* Co., Jcffcrsonville, Indiana. 

Cincinnati, November 19th, 1855. 
W. H. Fuller, Esq. 

Dear Sir: — I have yours of the 17th inst. In answer, I state that my 
Pork Packing House at Jeffersonville is using " AVilson's Patent Iron Tanks," 
and consider it the best possible mode of rendering Lard. My house in New 
Orleans has sold large quantities of Lard rendered in this way, since Wilson 
first erected his Tanks at Cincinnati. And I am fully satisfied, from having 
kept it over frequently through the summer season, that it will keep if pro- 
perly rendered, as well as that from Kettles. 

Eespectfully, 

THOMAS J. MAETIN. 



The following are some of the depositions taken in the suit of the Illinois 
Central Eailroad, is. William E. Johnson, at Chicago, October 1st, 
1855, and days succeeding, to condemn land. This evidence was produced by 
Major Johnson to prove the value of his establishment, for the purpose 
designed by him of rendering the Lard and Tallow and the offal of Cattle, 
Hogs and Sheep, which establishment, he contends, is materially damaged, 
if not entirely destroyed by the Piailroad. The persons giving testimony 
are well known as among the most extensive operators in the business, and 
their evidence must be considered conclusive as to the value of the machinery 
over any other known method of rendering, either the finest description of 
Lard and Tallow, or the extracting the grease from the coarsest offal. 

Deposition of Cliarles Wilson, of St. Louis. 

After being sworn, and replying to questions relating to Major Johnson's 
establishment, and giving his opinion as to the injury arising from the Eailroad 
location, says : 



" The property would rent for $10,000 per annum. I am acquainted with 
the business for which such establishment was used, and know its value for 
such purposes. I think that there can be twenty thousand dollars made .by 
carrying on the business of rendering in the establishment, per annum. I 
have been engaged in the business thirteen years. On cross examination, 
says : I reside in St. Louis, Missouri, am engaged in the business. I use 
three Tanks for rendering offal. It is my business. My establishment is at 
Pekin, Illinois ; live there half the time. Should think Johnson's establish- 
ment cost twenty thousand dollars. The Tanks can use one hundi-ed and 
eighty thousand pounds of material every twenty-four hours. 

(Signed) CHAKLES WILSON. 



Depositio)i of William P. Samuel, of the firm of Samuel ^' Moss, of 

Hamiibal, Missouri. 

After being duly sworn, says : Resides near Hannibal, Missouri. Business 
is rendering Grease with "Wilson's Iron Tanks" for the last six years ; is 
acquainted with their use. Euns the Tanks one course every twenty-four 
hours ; they can be run once in from fourteen to eighteen hours with Lard 
and Tallow. In rendering Lard, TanksVill use seventeen thousand pounds 
carcass material each course ; offal material would probably weigh less. 
(After some testimony as to the injury to Johnson's establishment, continues,) 
We paid five thousand dollars for the patent right to use Wilson's Tanks in 
our County. Should think the rent of Johnson's establishment would be 
worth ten thousand dollars per annum, exclusive use ; it would be worth to 
the tenant fifteen to twenty thousand dollars per annum, expenses, six thou- 
sand dollars, deducted. Employ three Tanks, which are, so far, sufficient 
for our County. 

On cross examination, says : The Tanks were invented by Ebenezer Wilson, 
now of Xew York. Our Tanks cost us about one thousand dollars each, set 
up. The boilers of Johnson's would cost about eight hundred dollars each, 
and five hundred dollars to set them all up. 

(Signed,) WILLIAM P. SAMLTIL. 

The firm of Samuel «& Moss is one of the largest packers of Beef and Pork 
on the Mississippi river, and their Tallow and Lard, rendered by Wilson's 
Tank process, is fully equal to any. 



Deposition of J. E. Noricoorl, of Quincy, Illinois, 

Being duly sworn, says : Have examined Johnson's establishment ; the 
property is worth as rent ten thousand dollars per annum, and the tenant 
can make ten thousand dollars per annum profit. I have used the same kind 
of Tanks seven years. The Tanks of Johnson will use of carcass material 
ninety-six thousand pounds, or twelve thousand pounds each Tank, every 



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twenty-four hours. If the work was pushed to the utmost, they could do 
more. 

On cross examination, says : Have lived in Quincy twenty years. 

(Signed,) J. E. NOKWOOD, 



Deposition of Ebenezer Wilson, of the Toivn of Sijracusey County of 
Onondaga, and State of New York. 

Being duly sworn, after several interrogatories as to his knowledge of the 
various modes of rendering, the length of his experience in business, &c., he 
is asked : 

What is the comparative value of this process of rendering, compared with 
all other kindred modes, as to economy of process, time, quality, yield and 
ability to do a large business in a short period? 

He answers, he thinks it at least thirty per cent, to thirty-three per cent, 
more valuable than any other known mode, as to economy of process, time, 
quality, yield and ability to do a large business in a short period of time. 

Are you acquainted with the large stock markets of the Mississippi valley ? 
what opportunities have you had of knowing them ? to what extent is Wilson's 
Patent used, and its general reputation throughout that region ? 

The witness answers, that he is acquainted with the large stock markets 
of the Mississippi valley; has known them by personal observation and 
knowledge since the year 1848. The Patent is, to a large extent, used by 
the principal establishments for that purpose throughout that region. 

AVhat acquaintance have you with the facilities for obtaining materials in 
Chicago, for such business, and how does it compare with other large markets 
where said machinery is used ? 

Witness answers, that he has been in Chicago market a part of one season 
for such business, and made observations in relation to that subject ; and, for 
the offal of cattle, it exceeds any other place or market where such machinery is 
used ; and for hogs, witness considers it fully equal to any on the Mississippi 
or Ohio valleys, with the necessary facilities to carry on such business. 

After some questions as to witness' familiarity with Major Johnson's 
establishment, and his opinion as to the effect of the location of the road 
upon the premises, he is asked — What is the annual rent of said establish- 
ment worth, in working condition, and relieved of the railroad ? 

He answers, that he thinks the annual rent of said establishment would 
be worth, in working order and condition, and relieved of the railroad, ten 
thousand dollars per annum, besides the tax to the patentee, which is two 
thousand dollars per annum. 

How many pounds of carcass material can be used daily in said establish- 
ment, and what would be the per diem expense, excluding fuel ? 

Witness answers, that at least one hundred and fifty thousand pounds of 
carcass, exclusive of water, could be used daily in said establishment, when 
driving to its utmost extent ; and from one hundred thousand to one hundred 



and twenty-five thousand pounds, when driven ordinarily, or moderately ; 
and the per diem expense, excluding fuel, would be from twenty to twenty- 
five dollars per day, depending upon the price of labor. 

AVhat is the usual annual rent of Tanks, of the size of those used by John- 
son, for the right of use, as paid by*those using them ? 

The witness answers, that the usual annual rent of Tanks, of the size of 
those used by Johnson, for the right to use, as paid by those using them, is 
two hundred and fifty dollars per Tank. 

(Signed,) K WILSON. 



Deposition of Robert Mc Cohe^ of the County of Des Moines and State of 

loica. 

State your present occupation, and whether you are acquainted with the 
use of *' Wilson's Patent Machinery" for the rendering of Tallow, Lard and 
Grrease ; and, if so, how long have you been so acquainted ? 

Answers. I am now engaged railroading ; was formerly engaged in packing 
Beef and Pork ; I am acquainted with Wilson's Patent Machinery for render- 
ing Tallow, Lard, &c., and have been so acquainted since the year 1848. 

Do you not own the right of running four Tanks of said Patent in Texas ? 
if so, what did you pay for the right ? 

I do. I paid one thousand dollars a year for the use of the four. 

What are the comparative advantages, if any, in the use of said machinery 
against any other known mode of making Grease from concrete substances, 
as regards economy, yield, quality of product, and ability to do a large 
business in a short time ? 

The advantages are great above all others known to me, as regards economy, 
yield, and quality of product ; and, as to ability to do a large business in a 
short time, is far superior to any other method. 

What would be a fair annual rental for said property, and what would be 
a reasonable profit for the renter to make ? 

Ten thousand dollars per annum would be a fair rental. I would be glad 
to take it at that, for a term of years, with the privileges he had before the 
railroad interfered. I should expect to clear ten thousand dollars a year on 
that rent. 

(Signed,) EGBERT McCABE. 



Deposition of Israel McTaggart, of Indianapolis, State of Indiana. 

Being duly sworn, says : — Has been engaged in rendering Lard in all pro- 
cesses ; difference is great. Tank process yields thirty-five or forty tierces. 
Tub process twelve or fifteen tierces with the same amount of labor and fuel. 
The Tank product is better than the Tub and nearly equal to the Kettle. 

2 



10 

Have examined Johnson's premises, think the site a good one ; railroad seri- 
ous objection ; without road worth eight or ten thousand dollars per annum, 
now, with road, worth nothing. 

(Signed,;) ISKAEL McTAGGART. 



Dcjjositioii of Levi Ashbrook, of St. Louis. 

After being sworn, says : — Have been acquainted with the " Wilson Tanks"" 
for the last five years. I pay two hundred and fifty dollars per annum 
for each Tank ; that is, for the right to run the Tanks. Have examined 
Johnson's establishment. With Johnson's privileges, and his business 
prospects, should think, ten thousand dollars a fair rent per annum, and I 
think the tenant could make ten or fifteen thousand dollars per annum, if 
run to its full capacity. I agree with witness, Charles Wilson, as to the 
capacity of the Tanks for business. The mode of rendering with *' W^ilson's 
Tanks" is considered a superior mode, making a better article, and can be 
operated cheaper. My estimate of the value of Johnson's privileges is with 
the understanding that he has the right for the city and county. 

(Signed,) LEVI ASHBEOOK. 

Mr. Ashbrook is connected in Packing and Slaughtering, with Ames & Co., 
St. Louis, and his operations arc the most extensive, and his estab-lish- 
ment the most complete in the city of St. Louis. 



Deposition of Jobcz Reijnolch, of Cincinnati. 

After being sworn, says: — In 1843, E. Wilson came to Cincinnati, and 
arranged for using his Tanks. In that season, I constructed heavy vessels for 
rendering Grease in that city. The process adopted at that time in the use of 
those vessels was successful, and combined tlie process that was afterwards 
patented by Ebenezer W^ilson. The "■ Tank Eendered" Lard is the best Lard 
now known in commerce. I have kept it four years in my house rather than 
use new Kettle Kendei ed Lard. I am not conversant enough with the various 
modes of rendering Lard to decide upon the relative economy of these modes. 
The " Tank" mode of rendering is decidedly the most expeditious. By the 
Tank mode of rendering, " stale material" can be worked successfully. I have 
been engaged or connected with the business more or less for twenty years, 
every year. Almost the entire hog product of Cincinnati is operated in 
*' Tanks," the market product, being the refuse of the markets, is mostly 
rendered in Tubs. 

(Signed,) JABEZ EEYNOLDS. 

Mr. Eeynolds is of the firm of Eeynolds, Kite & Latum, of Cincinnati, and 
has been engaged in making kettles, presses, &c., for rendering Tallow and 
Lard, and making the fixtures for Tubs, for *' Steam Eendering Lard and 
Tallow," and has been familiar for twenty years with the different machinery 



11 

used in the processes of rendering ; for the last thirteen years, he has manu- 
faxjtured and fitted up a number of the largest establishments using AVilson's 
machinery, and is most reliable and competent authority. 



DejiositioH of W. H. Fuller, of Cincinnati. 

■ Being duly sworn, says : Commenced with "Wilson the first Tanks which 
were up in 1S43, and was engaged several years in disposing of rights, 
and have been extensively engaged in running them. Have manufactured 
by this process, the ofi'al of three thousand head of cattle. Five hundred 
thousand hogs have been killed in a year in Cincinnati, and most of the 
ofi'al, heads, &c., rendered in Tanks. Have rendered all kinds of material, 
tendered in one year, for one concern, of " gut fat " alone, one and a half 
millions of pounds, in Cincinnati. Agree with the other witnesses as to the 
Tanks' capacity ; each Tank will hold seventeen thousand pounds. Three 
runs may be made in forty-eight hours. The economy is shown by the 
amount of labor and fuel and quantity of material. The expense by "Tanks" 
is not more than one-fourth that of Kettle Eendering, and the product from 
five to twelve per cent, greater, according to the quality of the material. 
Never run a Tank at less than at the rate of fifty dollars each run, nett 
charges for the run. Have run seventeen hundred sheep at a run with four 
Tanks. Would have given ten thousand dollars per annum for the use of 
Major Johnson's premises, and should have anticipated making ten thousand 
dollars a year. " Steam Tank Lard" is as good as the best ; there are less 
impurities in it. AYe get from Lard stock, of the coarse and fine descrip- 
tion, an average of eighty to eighty and a half per cent., by Tanks ; from 
Tubs and Kettles, five to twelve and a half per cent. less. 

(Signed,) W. H. FULLEU 



Deposition of Ambrose Taylor, of Cincinnati, 

After being sworn, says : Have a Tank establishment in Cincinnati ; three 
Tanks ; render hogs' heads principally. There is a good deal of economy in 
the Tank process over any other. Tank Lard is drier and will l^eep better 
than that by the wooden Tub process. There is economy in running eight 
Tanks, over three, -as a certain quantity of steam is required. Have 
examined Major Johnson's establishment ; without the railroad, would be 
worth ten thousand dollars a year ; would be cheap at that, and would 
expect to make ten thousand dollars a year. I ofi'ered nine thousand dol- 
lars, the year before last, when the season was half over, for the exclusive 
use of Tanks in Cincinnati. 

(Signed,) AMBEOSE TAYLOK. 



Dejwsition of Francis Beresford, of Cincinnati. 
Being sworn, says : Am a butcher ; engaged in it all my life. Live in 



12 

Cincinnati. Been acquainted with Tank Eendering for seven or eight years ; 
used them in connection with my establishment, and have rendered eight or 
nine thousand sheep per annum. Have rendered six hundred sheep per day ; 
could have rendered more. Get sixteen cents per head, slaughtering and 
rendering. Think the "Tank" process, all things considered, saves one- 
fourth, and think the product better. Have examined Johnson's premises ; 
never saw better for the business. With the road the establishment is des- 
troyed. Eent worth eight or ten thousand dollars per annum. 

(Signed,) FEANCIS BEKESFOED. 

Mr. Beresford had two establishments for slaughtering hogs, sheep, and 
cattle, and his concern killed as many as any other in Cincinnati. 



Deposition oj Samuel Smith, formerly of the house of Lot Pugh ^ Co., of 

Cincinnati. 

After being sworn, says : Have had experience with Tubs and Tanks. The 
Tanks are most profitable. Have rendered forty thousand sheep in a season. 
Have put four hundred sheep in a *' Tank" at a run. Johnson's site, with- 
out the road, a very good one ; rent worth ten thousand dollars per annum, 
leaving fair margin for profits. 

(Signed,) SAMUEL SMITH. 



Dc2)Ositio?i of George H. Shotwcll, 

After being sworn, says : That there was a party came to Chicago two 
years since, to hire Johnson's establishment, but declined taking it on ac- 
count of the road. This man said he could pay ten thousand dollars per 
annum and make a good business. 

(Signed,) GEOEGE H. SHOTWELL. 



Dcj)Osition of Sanderson Robert, of Cincinnati, Ohio. 

After being sworn, answers as follows : ♦ 

Interrogatory First. — State your business at this time, whether you are 
acquainted with Wilson's Lard Eendering Machinery, how long you have 
known it and whether or not, you are familiar with its use ? 

Answers. I am engaged in the Lard Eendering business 7ioiv, and have 
been more or less so for the last nine years, using Wilson's Tanks and Lard 
Eendering Machinery, with the use of which I am familiar. 

Interrogatory Second. — Are you or not, the owner of such property at 
this time ? if so, how many Tanks do you use, where are they, and what is the 
value of your establishment ? 

Answers. I own at present, and use six of these Tanks ; they are in my 
Eendering Establishment on Deer Creek, Cincinnati, which establishment has 
cost me over thirty thousand dollars. 



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Interrogatory Third. — What are the comparative advantages of such 
machinery in manufacturing Lard, Tallow and Grease of all kinds, as to the 
facility of doing a large business, the economy of the process, the yield, and 
quality of product in rendering carcass material of Hogs, Cattle and Sheep, 
as against any other known mode ? 

. Answers. The advantages of this machinery over all other, for the pur- 
poses mentioned in the last question, are incalculable. Indeed I know of no 
other mode or machinery by which the entire yield of which such substances 
are susceptible, can be had ; added to which, there is by this machinery and 
process great saving of time, fuel, risk and labor ; the former an indespensa- 
ble requisite, the season for this sort of work being short. 

The fourth and fifth interrogatories relate to the eligibility of Major John- 
son's site at Chicago, for an establishment for carrying on the Eendering of 
Lard, Tallow and Sheep, and the damage done to it by the location of the 
road. 

The sixth interrogatory relating to the above-referred premises, is, what 
would be a fair annual rental for this establishment relieved of the railroad, and 
what might the rentor reasonably estimate his profits to be over the rent ? 

Answers. I would consider eight to ten thousand dollars a year a low 
rental for such an establishment at Chicago, possessing as I understand it to 
do, an exclusive privilege at that point, of Wilson's Patent Tanks and 
Machinery ; at such a rental, with the present amount of slaughtering done 
at Chicago, the profits would be large ; with the business of Chicago in the 
prospective, very large. 

(Signed,) ^ S. EOBEET. 



Deposition of Edward F. Wiho?i, of the City of Cleveland, County of 
Cuyahoga, State of Ohio. 

"Witness being duly sworn, answers to the following questions. 

Interrogatory First. — State your business, the length of time you have 
followed it, and your acquaintance, if any, with " Wilson's Patent " for 
rendering Lard, Tallow and Grease, from carcass material ? 

Answers: I am engaged in the Beef and Pork "Packing" business ; have 
been thus engaged for twelve years, and am well acquainted with "^^ ilson's 
Patent for rendering Lard, Tallow and Grease from carcass material, and 
have been for about ten years. My father was the patentee ; and I have 
used it constantly in my business since the patent was obtained, which was 
in 1844. 

Interrogatory Second. — What markets have you had experience in as a 
manufacturer ? 

Answers : I have had experience with the Louisville, Kentucky markets, 
Cincinnati, Chicago, and Cleveland, Ohio markets. 

Interrogatory Third. — Have you examined W. F. Johnson's Lard Factory, 
at Chicago ? 

Answers : I have. 



14 

Interrogatory Fourth.-AVliat is tlie facility for procuring material in Chicago 
for supporting such establishment ? 

Answers : Chicago affords facilities for that purpose to a greater extent 
than any market I know of. 

Interrogatory Fifth. — AVhat would be a fair rental for said establishment ? 
and what would be a fair and reasonable profit to the renter or on the rental ? 

Answers : Eight thousand dollars would be a fair rental per annum, with- 
out the railroad, and at the least calculation, five thousand dollars would be 
a fair and reasonable profit for the renter, over the rental. 

Interrogatory Sixth. — AVhat are the comparative advantages, if any, of 
Wilson's patent mode, over any other known modes of rendering Grease, &c.? 

Answers : By Wilson's patent mode, double the quantity of Grease, &c., 
may be rendered at the same expense, and in the same time, to any other 
mode known, producing a better article and a much greater yield from the 
same material. 

(Signed,) E. E. WILSON. 

Tliese depositions are verbatim with those used in the testimony, only 
omitting some questions and answers relating entirely to questions of damage 
(to Johnson's property, an inquiry not pertinent to the present purpose. 



Cincinnati, January 2d, 1850. 
Eben Wilson, Esq. 

Dear Sir : — In reply to your inquiry of the relative quality of " Steam 
Eendered Lard," and " Kettle Eendered," I beg leave to say, that as far as 
my experience goes, I have found Steam Eendered superior to Kettle Eender- 
ed, but as I had not had any Lard Steam Eendered till last year, at Allen 
& Co.'s house, Louisville, and not being then sufficiently satisfied of its 
merits, I had all my Lard pass through the Kettles from the Steam Tanks, 
^nd "Kettle Dried," and have pursued the same process this year. The 
Lard so rendered, proved much superior to the Kettle Eendered, side by side, 
and in the summer stood the test of hot weather far the best. So did also 
lots of it which were shipped to Havana, and elsewhere during the heat of 
summer. I pay ten cents per hundred more for having my Lard so rendered 
at Louisville this year, than Adams & Co. offered to render it in kettles. 
(Signed,) W, P. AVINCHESTEE, 

Junior of the firm of 
E. A. & W. P, AVINCHESTEE, 

Boston, 



Louisville, January 1st, 1850. 

We take pleasure in stating that we have had in use for several years the 

Lard Machinery known as " Wilson's Patent," and that we consider it a 

highly important improvement ; that, in our opinion, the yield of pure Lard 

from the rough fat is much greater than in the kettle rendering, and that the 



15 

quality of the Lard is superior to any other in this market, that it stands 
warm weather and southern latitudes better, retaining under the most trying 
circumstances, its sweetness, color, and firmness. 

(Signed,) W. &. C. FELLOWES & Co. 



Terre Haute, Ind., May 21, 1850. 
The subscribers have used ** Wilson's Steam Tanks" for rendering Lardy 
and fully concur in the opinion of Messrs. W. & C. Fellowes & Co., of Louis- 
ville, as to the superiority of their method of rendering, to any other known, 
to them. They have made large shipments of this Lard to New York, and. 
the prices have been fully equal to those obtained for the Pure Leaf Lard 
shipped by them at the same time, and rendered in kettles. 

(Signed,) H. D. WILLIAMS & Co. 



CiNCiXNATi, November 4th, 1850. 
I purchased of E. "Wilson & Co., some fifty thousand dollars' worth of Xo, 
1 Lard, during the winter of 1848 and 1849, the same having been rendered, 
by his Iron Tanks. The Lard rendered in this way I found to be very- 
superior, and when I sold it in the fall, some six or eight months after, I 
found it sweet, hard, and in every way in good order. I give Lard rendered 
by Mr. Wilson the preference over all other. 

(Signed,) K. W. LEE. 



November 4th, 1850. 
We stored the Lard for Mr. Lee — mentioned above — frequently examined 
it, and freely concur in all he states relative to its superior qualities. 

(Signed,) JAMES WILSON & Co.. 



CixcixxATi, January 1st, 1850. 
The subscribers having purchased and manufactured several thousand 
barrels and tierces of Steam Lard, rendered by Mr. E. Wilson's Tanks, would 
state that the quality of the Lard is of a superior kind, producing a clear Oil 
and a better Stearine than the Kettle Rendered Lard. 

(Signed,) M. WEEK & CO. 



Cincinnati, January, 1850. 
We would certify in relation to the Steam Tanks invented and patented 
by E. Wilson, of this city, that we find them an invaluable auxiliary to the 
slaughtering and packing establishments conducted by us — as they produce 
from the same material better Lard, Tallow, and Grease, at much less expense 
and a better yield than any other mode known to us, and without that offensive 
effluvia pertaining to tubs or other vessels in common use. 

(Signed,) L. PUGH & CO. 



10 

Cincinnati, May 23d, 1850. 
E. Wilson, Esq.: 

Dear Sir : — Having used your "Patent Tanks " for rendering Tallow and 
Lard, under a high pressure of steam, we would recommend them as a great 
improvement in rendering Lard and Tallow. In the rendering of Lard in 
Tanks, we find the article much nicer, and it has kept through the summer 
perfectly sweet and hard. 

In the rendering by this process, we think the yield is much greater than 
"by any other method we have ever used, and the expense is less than one- 
half 

(Signed,) GEO. H. HILL & CO. 



Hannibal, August l3th, 1850. 
Mr. E. Wilson: 

Dear Sir : — We have in use your " Patent Tanks" for rendering Lard and 
Tallow. We considea it an important improvement. In our opinion, the 
yield of pure Lard from the rough fat is far greater than in the Kettle Een- 
dering, and the quality of the Lard is superior to any we have ever seen. 
The Lard made by us last season brought in New Orleans, one quarter of 
one cent per pound more than No. 1 Kettle Eendered. In rendering Tal- 
low and Grease, we believe the advantages to be the same as in rendering 
Lard. 

(Signed,) SAMUEL & MOSS. 



New York, June 18, 1850. 
Mr. W. H. Fuller, Terre Haute : 

Dear Sir : — In reply to yours of the 30th ult., we would say that we have 
received and sold a good deal of the Lard rendered by " Wilson's Patent 
Steam Tank," and when made from good material, have found the quality 
such as ranks in our market as No. 1, and have always sold it at the regular 
market price for that quality. 

(Signed,) WOEK & DEAKE. 



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